Berlin: US embassy bomb scare after man claims to have explosives in suitcase

US embassy evacuated as a precaution in what turned out to be a false alarmGetty

A man has been arrested after walking into the US embassy in Berlin claiming to have a bomb in his suitcase. The 23-year-old German is said to have become violent and tried to punch a security guard after being turned away at the door of the embassy near the Brandenburg Gate.

Police spokesman Jens Berger said the man claimed there was a bomb in his suitcase as he was being arrested.

The area was evacuated and a robot was brought in to inspect the bag, but found only personal items such as clothes.

Berger told the Associated Press that "there are many indications he is psychologically disturbed" but did not give any further details.